Abstract

Abstract This article deals with one of the perennial questions of legal and political philosophy, ie, how the state should relate to religion? It makes a distinction between five models: (i) the atheist state, (ii) the theocratic state, (iii) the model of an official state church, (iv) the multiculturalist state, and (v) the agnostic state (or secular state). The authors reflect on the legitimacy of each of these models. Some states reclaim their right to adopt an official religion as their state religion or as the religious Leitkultur of their country (model iii). Others favor the support of religion as long as this is premised on the equal rights of all religions (model iv). And others think that the state can only support equal citizenship if the state does not support any religion whatsoever (model v).

Highlights

  • This article deals with one of the perennial questions of legal and political philosophy, ie, how the state should relate to religion? It makes a distinction between five models: (i) the atheist state, (ii) the theocratic state, (iii) the model of an official state church, (iv) the multiculturalist state, and (v) the agnostic state

  • The authors reflect on the legitimacy of each of these models. Some states reclaim their right to adopt an official religion as their state religion or as the religious Leitkultur of their country

  • The distinction that is usually made between a theocracy and a country that has a state religion is that a system with a state religion allows other religions to exist alongside it

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Summary

What is an ‘Atheist’ State?

Others.[16] But it is important to stress one thing, and that is the new atheism like the classical atheism of previous generations is a private atheism This means that it is a personal conviction of individuals that does not have any ambition to exert political power. Marx’s remark that religion ought to be abolished was interpreted as a directive for the state It was considered a job of the state to try to destroy religion as a dangerous societal perversion. The former Soviet Union and Albania were the most famous examples of this.[17].

What is a Theocratic State?
Political Islam and Terrorism
What are State Religions?
What is a Multiculturalist State?
What is an Agnostic or Secular State?
Is Secularism Typically Western?
The French Laïcité as Consistent Secularism
71 See on the French system
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